[Tim the student]

I'm waiting on an M&P9 to get here, and I'm getting ready to order reloading supplies for it.

I've been pleased with MBC bullets in the past, and I'd like to use them for this pistol. I've never loaded for a 9 before.

What bullet from them do you guys recommend? I'm thinking about the Parabellum (115g RN). Any reason not to get this, or should I look at another bullet?

Thoughts?

[bds]

For 9mm, I prefer the heavier 125 gr over the 115 gr bullets.

Why?

With the heavier 125 gr bullets, I can reliably cycle the slide of my pistols using lower powder charges (mid-to-high range instead of near max load data) and seem to get better accuracy. MBC 125 gr RN (SmallBall) has shorter/rounder nose profile that lengthens the bearing surface (part of bullet base that rides the rifling) and 125 gr will have longer bearing surface than 115 gr bullet. I have been testing MBC 125 gr RN, SWC and CN using various powders and gotten accurate loads with them all.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=151344&stc=1&d=1319305687

If you are looking for accurate loads with minimal/no lube smoke, I recommend you try the SWC bullet with much longer bearing surface. Because the bullet base gets seated deeper in the case neck (see picture for comparison of the bearing surface), I reduced the start/max loads by .3 gr and my test loads with W231/HP-38 did not produce hardly any visible smoke shot at indoor range.

For economical yet very accurate load, I am using 125 gr RN with 4.0 gr of Promo at 1.080-1.100" OAL.

[1KPerDay]

I've also found the 125 RN "smallball" to be very accurate and reliable with 3.8 g of Red Dot/Promo (thanks BDS!) at 1.09 or thereabouts.

The first batch I got were (mistakenly, I guess) sized to .358/.359 and shot very clean through my .357 slugged Beretta 92fs and SIG P226 barrels. the current batch I got were sized correctly at .356 and I get some leading. So now I'm working on buying another gun to shoot them through. :D I figure it's as good a reason as any.

[popper]

Just got a sample of 9mm 124gr. from xtreme. I've used their plated (.40) before with good results. I cast and don't have a 9mm, but these really do look quality, not so much the small ball profile. I loaded some of the 9mm MBC smallball (for a friend) and had trouble finding a good OAL.

[bds]

MBC 125 gr RN (SmallBall) has more rounded nose profile than typical more pointed "parabellum" style bullets - this is done to increase the bearing surface of the bullet base.

I typically load 9mm "para" bullets to 1.125"-1.135" OAL but load MBC 125 RN to 1.080"-1.100" OAL.

If you have barrels with fairly quick start of rifling, MBC 125 RN loaded to typical 1.125" OAL may allow the bullet to hit the start of rifling and/or cause feeding issues (compare the start of bearing surface - white arrows). MBC 125 RN loaded to 1.100" OAL will bring the start of the bearing surface comparable to typical FMJ loaded at 1.135" OAL.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=163905&stc=1&d=1336156466

[oldreloader]

I have good luck with the 125 gr SWC and CN. The 147 gr FP also shoots real well for me.

[J_McLeod]

The only one I've tried is the 147gr, but I like it a lot. Doesn't take much powder and shoots accurately. Even with a upper range charge of HS-6 it barely recoils.

[popper]

Anyone know of a TC mold in the 120-130 gr. range for 9mm?

[Tim the student]

Thanks for the replies gents.